Things get serious this week in a really solid The Wheel of Time episode

Lee: Whew, okay, that was a lot! Rather a lot of issues occurred in this episode!

We open on the Seanchan doing what they do—making imperious statements and speaking about conquering issues. And, hey, for anybody questioning when the Horn of Valere was really going to show up on display, right here it’s, hand-delivered by Padan Fain (with the requisite bit of whistling). I appreciated the scene, I just like the Seanchan in the present, and I assumed it was a solid opening. It was additionally variety of enjoyable to see Shienaran Lord Ingtar (Gregg Chilingirian) in eyeshadow and da’covale robes, that are nowhere close to as sheer on-screen as they’re in the books.

The invaders from throughout the ocean have their very own look, their very own accents, and their very own theme music (which as close to as I can inform contains a choir singing “DA-MA-NE!” again and again). They’re not simply creepy and formidable—they’re virtually alien, which I suppose is the intention. How are they working for you up to now?

Andrew: Yes, I really feel like this episode jumped us from the early-middle of guide two to someplace near the endgame of guide two (and Perrin’s storyline is a bizarre melding of guide one and guide three stuff). It’s transferring shortly, which it has to do as a result of of episode quantity limitations we now have talked about a bunch of instances already. It’s a bit manic, and I’m undecided how followable it’s for non-book readers, however it’s what it’s!

The Seanchan are kind of efficiently fulfilling their Book Role, which is to be bizarre, clearly alien invaders who instantly threaten, like, half of our essential characters by capturing and enslaving ladies who can channel. One factor that’s a lot completely different in the present, although, is that it is a lot clearer a lot earlier that the Forsaken are pulling some of their strings. The books would present you somebody was a Darkfriend by sneaking in a one-line reference in some variety of quick epilogue POV part. In the present, these folks present up and also you simply variety of see the present’s essential villain chilling with them on a palanquin.

Again, how scannable is this for non-book readers who do not essentially know that the Seanchan are their very own distinctive society and that they don’t seem to be at all times working with the Forsaken? I do not know! But it is simply one other factor the present is doing to provide the story’s villains extra depth (and perhaps, hopefully, to chop down on some of the fixed double-crossing and who-can-we-trust intrigue that bogs down the center books).

Lee: Before we depart the intro, I wished to toss in a tiny little two-image side-by-side gallery of the placement utilized by the present for the Seanchan assembly. If you are an avid fantasy viewer, this will not be the primary time you’ve got seen that specific citadel—it is proven up earlier than in a sure different present that additionally talks about dragons:

Given that each Game of Thrones and Wheel of Time shot in Morocco, some location reuse was in all probability inevitable, however this one is especially on the nostril. Still, whether or not it was meant to be overtly apparent or not, I dig it. It undoubtedly works, and in addition, now we all know that Falme appears like Morocco!

OK, so—you are completely proper that the present has drop-kicked the plot means forward with the way in which occasions are touchdown. There are a number of particular issues I wish to discuss, and the primary one is the Forsaken. We’re given extra of a window into who and what they’re in this episode—together with the understanding that alliances between completely different members of the Forsaken are considerably, let’s say, ephemeral. But the factor that jumped out most was the point out by Lanfear in regards to the relaxation of the Forsaken—and what number of there might or might not be.

Specifically, she mentions Moghedien, Graendal, and “the boys,” and paints all of them as incompetent. I can not bear in mind if season one gave us the main points on precisely what number of of the Forsaken there are, however the present would possibly have simply informed us that there are solely six or seven—clearly lower than the 13 named in the books. And if that’s certainly what’s taking place, I do not essentially assume this is a dangerous factor, given how a lot of the collection is taken up by Rand chasing after and amassing all of the completely different Forsaken like Pokemon.

Andrew: Listen, there are solely so many massive, previous empty castles sitting round for fantasy reveals to movie in! Maybe the showrunners noticed one thing on HGTV about how altering the banners and tapestries in your Moroccan preserve could make it seem to be a wholly new place.

Lots of the 13 Forsaken had been already kind of interchangeable as plot drivers and existed principally to be melted by Rand and his buddies in end-of-book battles. And the way in which the present is eradicating, combining, and repurposing characters undoubtedly makes it seem to be it could possibly be planning to chop some of the opposite less-interchangeable figures out. (For instance, is there a story want for Asmodean in the present universe? Maybe not, primarily based on some of the modifications!) We’ve already seen the present jettison the concept that the Forsaken should be completely reincarnated as all-new folks by the Dark One; in basic the thought appears to be to have fewer villains who’re better-drawn, and that is in all probability sensible.

Speaking of “book concepts that take about 15 hours to fully explain,” I do like how this episode introduces us to the dream world of Tel’aran’rhiod by means of Lanfear, who’s ready for a fleeing Rand and Moiraine to go to sleep so she will monitor them down and Get Them. This dreamy stuff is a main component of the books, essential to the story arcs of a number of main characters. I’m undecided how the present goes to make use of it, but it surely looks like it is not getting reduce.

Lee: I did a little happy-clap when Moiraine name-dropped Tel’aran’rhiod—it winds up being such a massive half of the books for therefore many of the characters, even when some of the Tel’aran’rhiod plots are a little abstruse. Or a lot abstruse. (What the hell was even up with that Slayer man, anyway, and why did his dumb plot drag out over like six books?)

And amongst all of the Forsaken, Lanfear was speculated to be probably the most expert inside the World of Dreams (one thing that some of the opposite Forsaken take difficulty with, if I bear in mind proper). She reveals off a bit of that talent in her cheeky assembly with Ishamael, and we see maybe a bit extra when she zaps Rand into her personal little desert BDSM fantasy on the very finish. Remember, Rand: there is no such thing as a safe-word in the World of Dreams.

We’ll little question be spending a lot of time there, given how central Tel’aran’rhiod is to—nicely, to a number of characters (no spoilers from us about that but—that’ll seemingly be a season three or 4 factor), and it is nice to know that it is not being reduce. I’ve some hope that Asmodean additionally makes it, although as you say, he might not be essential. We shall hopefully know extra quickly!

Changing tack barely, there are two issues I wished to carry up about Randlandian politics once more, and I promise to not spend an excessive amount of time right here. First, curiously, we be taught a bit extra about Cairhien—it does in reality have a queen, named Galldrian, and Moiraine’s nephew Barthanes Damodred is marrying her. This plus Moiraine’s determination to delay attracts a fairly straight line for Rand to get concerned in the shuffle for the Cairhienin throne. Book readers could be scratching their heads at this explicit set of decisions, on condition that in the books Galldrian was a king who’s useless earlier than the collection begins and Barthanes is—nicely, Barthanes is and does some spoiler-y issues. I’m hoping that they preserve his most spoiler-y features intact.

Andrew: Barthanes is certainly a guide character, however Moiraine’s sister is an invention, so who is aware of the place any of these characters find yourself relative to their bookish counterparts. I really feel prefer it’s guide 5 – 6 earlier than Rand really will get down into the depths of inter-Randlandian politicking, however the present does like to do issues out of order!

There had been at the least a couple of prolonged sequences in season one which had been simply Moiraine and a number of characters on horseback, listening attentively whereas Moiraine delivered some worldbuilding info-dump. If you wished to do a completely devoted rendering of each single little kingdom in Randland, you’d in all probability want a bunch extra scenes like that. “OK, so this one is Cairhien, and they love politics, and 20 years ago their king cut down a tree…” and on and on.

Attentive viewers will acknowledge little hints right here and there in the dialogue that suggest that at the least some of this historical past stays intact—because it must, in order that different Important Plot Things can occur later. But this present already has the Seanchan to arrange, and the Aiel to arrange (extra on that in a minute), and possibly a few different societies and subcultures moreover. I believe the subtle-ish distinction between teams of minor nobles in Andor, Cairhien, Tear, and elsewhere are all simply going to get flattened for expediency’s sake. That will principally be to the present’s profit, although right here we’re lacking out on a variety of enjoyable guide sequence the place a bunch of Cairhienin nobles assume Rand is a noble as a result of they see him carrying a good coat, he by accident ignores them, and so they work themselves up into a lather about him as a result of solely a essential noble would dare to disregard them.

Lee: “And that man who cut down that tree? He was my uncle!” … have we discovered that in the present but? My recollection is that you simply’re speculated to kind of regularly come to that realization in the books as you be taught Moiraine’s final title and join the dots to Laman’s final title, however I’m genuinely not remembering if we have heard the main points of the beginning of the Aiel War but in the present. (It’s not a spoiler! It’s his final title! Don’t @ me!)

All proper, Aiel time, as a result of in an episode stuffed with essential stuff, Perrin assembly Aviendha is one of a very powerful. We’re re-using the entire “Aiel in a cage” bit that we solely obliquely acquired to in season one, and we’re mixing collectively a few completely different guide bits, however the encounter got here off satisfying to me. Aviendha dons a black veil and invitations Perrin dancing—one thing she clearly excels at, being a Maiden of the Spear. Without revealing but to show-watchers why she’s essential (you may all discover out quickly sufficient!), it is good to have one of the final of our essential characters slotting into place.

Though I’d really feel higher if Thom Merrilin would present again up. His single look in season one was completely arresting. Perhaps we’ll discover him someplace in Cairhien with Rand.

Andrew: Or perhaps Thom is useless, as a result of everybody retains asking about him! Or perhaps he’ll stumble upon Mat, wherever Mat is, as a result of Mat and Min aren’t in this episode in any respect. We’re about due for an episode centered on him, on condition that he is been a near-nonentity since late final season.

I consider the “Perrin frees an Aiel from a cage and befriends them” factor is pulled again from The Dragon Reborn, the third guide in the collection, and the primary the place Rand really fades into the background in order that we are able to get nearer to another POV characters (show-Perrin additionally briefly meets Dain Bornhald, one other Whitecloak character who will change into extra essential later). In the guide, the Aiel that Perrin frees is a completely completely different individual. But what’s related is that this encounter opens us as much as be taught extra about Aiel society—they stay in a desert, they’re good at combating, and so they preserve a Klingon-esque understanding of honor and obligation (ji’e’toh, one other of Robert Jordan’s many closely apostrophe’d creations) that we get a small glimpse of right here.

Aviendha is straight away charming in her lethal means, and I’m in serious hazard of transport her and Perrin the identical means I’m at present transport Mat and Min. My ships are going to wreck your entire storyline.

Lee: I used to be additionally upset with the dearth of Mat this time, and my spouse gave some recommendation that apparently will apply to the present in addition to it does to the books: “Become familiar with the particular feeling of disappointment where you want and expect more Mat but instead get more interminable scenes of Elayne playing travel guide, telling you what city she’s in and what their major exports are—for you will be feeling this feeling a lot.”

Which, talking of—Elayne acquired a likelihood to mainly do exactly that when she and Nynaeve ended up in Falme, after escaping from Liandrin and the Seanchan. I assumed the Liandrin bits right here had been nice, and I proceed to like that they are really permitting her character to be one thing different than simply, like, vaguely misandrist and evil. Now she’s acquired angst, and everyone is aware of that angst is the emotional equal of MSG—it makes every little thing extra attention-grabbing.

Andrew: Liandrin goes absolutely mask-off in this episode, although her motivations are nonetheless simply unclear sufficient to depart the viewers room to query what she’s as much as. She’s taken The Girls away from the White Tower and delivered them to a Darkfriend Seanchan contingent by way of The Ways (to recap: a creepy fast-travel mechanism our heroes used towards the top of final season), however simply as she’s leaving she unties Nynaeve’s fingers to create a little chaos. Verin appears to be on Liandrin’s path again on the White Tower, however Liandrin does have some white asparagus on her that simply so occurs to develop in one half of the world at precisely this time of the 12 months, establishing a excellent alibi (I like this, I’ve by no means encountered produce-season-as-alibi in fiction earlier than).

Nynaeve and Elayne handle to flee, however Egwene is captured by the Seanchan and caught in one of their channeler-controlling collars (an a’dam, there’s that apostrophe once more). In the books these are described as a one-piece collar-and-leash combo, highlighting how dehumanizing it’s. You nonetheless get the collar in the present, however as soon as it is on, it morphs into a little breastplate factor that a chain is then connected to. I suppose to make it extra visually apparent when somebody is carrying an a’dam? Though I do know you wished to speak extra in regards to the aesthetics of the present’s damane (what the Seanchan name channelers they’ve collared, and the place the episode’s title comes from).

Lee: Just a bit, yeah—I used to be pondering that the precise a’dam was the pacifier factor that each one the damane appear to have jammed into their mouths, however as you say, we’re proven that there is an precise collar concerned, simply as in the books. I get the morphing-into-breastplate bit, too—it is simply flat-out simpler to see on TV than a collar could be. Seems like a logical adjustment to the medium.

The linked nature of the sul’dam (“leash holder” in the Old Tongue) and their damane is neatly demonstrated with the simultaneous name/response factor they do when channeling. My recollection is that the issues make the most of variety of a twisted model of the Aes Sedai/Warder bond to—nicely, to do all types of issues, as poor Egwene is about to seek out out.

And, then, to complete up with our wayward White Tower trainees for the week, Nynaeve and Elayne escape into town of Falme, searching for sanctuary in a place the place there’s not a lot available. And are they protected with the Aes Sedai and Warder who snatch them up? Ishy had a very peculiar response when Lanfear requested him about “the girls”—he notes that he has “just collected” them, and that “one craves power and the other fears it.”

Mentioning two as an alternative of three—or one—is odd. Does that imply that he is simply collected Nynaeve and Elayne in Falme and that the Aes Sedai sitting on them is Black Ajah? Or am I misinterpreting?

Andrew: Going off of what Verin was asking when she confirmed up on the White Tower—she wished to see Egwene and Nynaeve, no point out of Elayne—it might be that nobody has really registered that Elayne has been hanging out with our Two Rivers mates. Ishamael additionally simply appears to be targeted on the Two Rivers crew that he thinks he can use to govern Rand (Egwene can be the one wanting to get stronger and show herself, and Nynaeve the one who fears her personal energy). That is a delicate change from the books, the place Elayne is lumped in with Egwene and Nynaeve fairly early on as a result of they’re all extra highly effective than most modern-day Aes Sedai have been. But I suppose the useless, status-obsessed Forsaken would not instantly assume that a princess and an innkeeper’s daughter would change into quick mates.

To shut: nonetheless kind of annoyed by what an eight-episode season does to pacing, however nonetheless digging the present a lot. Aviendha is nice. I do know or suspect a lot of what’s going on primarily based on my guide information, however the present has modified sufficient to maintain me guessing. Bring on the subsequent one!

Lee: Indeed! And that does it for this week. The episode titles for the subsequent few weeks shed some gentle on the place we’re in all probability going to finish up, however you possibly can look these up for yourselves as a result of they’re spoiler-y titles if what the phrases signify. And, of course, there’s the large ending of The Great Hunt to sit up for—going by the characters’ dialogue, it is sounding like we’ll certainly finish the season in a spectacular style—simply preserve your eyes on the sky.

Courage to strengthen, hearth to blind, spoilers to dazzle, iron to bind. We’ll catch you all subsequent week!